PETONE SWIMMING BATH

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 15, 19 January 1932, Page 5

PETONE SWIMMING BATH

FORTY-FIVE YEARS OLD

NOW FILLED WITH SAND

The fact that there exists in Petone a full-sized swimming bath, which has been filled with sand; but which could *be reconditioned without a great • deal of trouble, is mentioned by tho Mayor of Petone (Mr. D. McKenzie) in reply to a letter from the Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, stressing the need for baths- in Petone.

The letter from, the chairman of the centre (Mr. N. McCartney) is as follows:— ■•',,'

"Oh the occasion of the junior national championships being held at the Riddiford Baths, Lower Hutt, this next weekend, I thought "it opportune" to call to your attention the lack of swimming facilities in Petone. "This association exists to try and see that every boy and girl in this Dominion becomes a really, competent swimmer, and they are unlikely to become competent swimmers unless they take part in com-, petitive swimming, in a properly fitted swimming pool. If you will compare the performances of the children that you will see at Lower Ifutt next week with the performancesl of the children you see about Petone .beach, you ;will appreciate what we mean.' We recognise that it would be: futile to'urge; the construction of a proper, swimming ;pool at the present; time; but" we' trust that Petone".will .bear, it in mind for the future, so that the chil-; dren of your town may. have an. .equal advantage with other children in New; Zealand and .develop, the art which, her sides being the besfrexercise in the world, is so useful to themselves or other people whom they 4 may assist." „ ' In his reply, Mr. McKenzie says:— "It has often been saH we have one of

the safest, and one of the finest beaches, for recreative, pleasure, and swiinraing- ' purposes',"- to" New: Zealand, but unfortunately we do lack a properly, equipped bath or swimming pool. I admit school children and the people of. Petone generally are very much handicapped • when taking part/in competitive 'or ordinary swimming'spbrts, owing to the want of the very^ important bath facilities and: training'mentioned' :so forcefully and respectfully:> in -your letter, /and for such I am indebted-to-you. i ' '■"■■■ ■• .:;;*' "You mention -the fine Riddifbrd Bath, Lower Hutt,-where the" junior national championships are being held. The bath is a great asset, and an inheritance to school children and the general public. The appreciated gift is a monument to the Eiddiford family for their goodness. Petonei unfortunately; has not had, so far, such;a generous giver.v . . '■'■- :'\" J ABOUT THE BATH. , v

~;j.''Pe.toDe.lad a-fiill-gize-swimraitig bath forty;five'gears' agoV 'situated' on the Esplanade, near the Richmond street corner. Mr. Edwin Jackson, one of New Zealand's respected pioneers; was the proprietor, and the sole attendant at ■' the bath./'.:Admission' was one penny, with the right to use a. cubicle. ,An extra penny provided a;towel;, Seawater was ■ the main .supply, and when the tide rose it filled the bath to three-quarters full, the other quarter. : being supplemented by artesian water.. The bath was made of concrete.- It1 was.filled up with sand many years ago, but is still in good preservation; "Evidently was,,not; a i)ayirig venture in, those.early days, not haying the sufiicient population. „ '.',■'■,': ",-A ' , ';'. "jEere would ;be a fine" unemployment relief work, .under the No. 5' Bchemb; ■wh|ere, labour would cost ' nothing •■ and would be a useful work.; When- the1 time is 'opportune the ' bath could be made modern:and• uprto-date.: This is 1 ■worth consideration by swimming enthusiasts;' j

"Schoolmasters and teachers of this district will be' interested in your letter and suggestions,- .which, I hope; will • eventuate and give us; all pleasure." . -.■-; '~■'■■.■'.:•■'